Rear discharge mat rolling machine with wrapper

ABSTRACT

A mat rolling machine for rolling a mat having a leading edge and a trailing edge may include a frame, at least one first drive belt, a plurality of second drive belts, a plurality of third drive belts, and a plurality of fourth drive belts. The mat rolling machine may include a plurality of primary fingers and a plurality of secondary fingers having a smaller radius of curvature on a lower face than the plurality of primary fingers. The mat rolling machine may include at least one support member for guiding a mat along a path through the mat rolling machine, and at least one pusher for discharging a rolled mat from the rear of the mat rolling machine. The mat rolling machine may include a wrapper cartridge. The mat rolling machine may include a cutter-mechanism.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 14/031,632filed 19 Sep. 2013 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,884,694).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to machinery and methods forrolling large mats, carpets, rugs, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mat rolling machines are typically used in the field of commercial rugcleaning. Large rugs and mats of the sort typically found in thelobbies, foyers and hallways of commercial, retail and industrialenterprises are sometimes removed for off-site cleaning. Once cleaned,these rugs may be rolled on a mat rolling machine to quickly shape therug into a generally cylindrical form for ease of delivery.

A typical prior art mat rolling machine may be seen in U.S. Pat. No.4,573, 644 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,010, hereby incorporated byreference. The mat rolling machines of the above-cited references have aframe and a hood housing a first set of horizontal or slightly inclinedbelts interleaved with a second set of generally vertical belts. Thefirst set of belts moves the rug towards the second set of belts, whichthen moves the rug upward. The front edge of the rug travels upwardstowards a set of fingers which curve the front edge of the rug back overto begin forming the rug into a cylindrical roll. Once the initialcylinder shape is formed, the action of the first set of belts and thesecond set of belts continue to roll the rug into a cylindrical shape.There is a control panel positioned generally below the first set ofbelts, and there are emergency stop buttons located on the hood abovethe fingers. These mat rolling machines can roll a rug such that thehollow interior of the roll is about 3 to 5 inches in diameter.

There is an ongoing need for an improved mat rolling machine andcomponents thereof to roll rugs and mats.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A mat rolling machine for use in rolling a mat having a leading edge anda trailing edge 30 may include a frame defining a front of the machineand a rear of the machine, a plurality of drive belts configured toconvey the mat from the front of the machine, through the machine, tothe rear of the machine, wherein the mat is discharged from the rear ofthe machine in a generally spiral configuration, and a wrapper cartridgecoupled to the frame, the wrapper cartridge configured to dispense astretch wrap about the mat in the generally spiral configuration.

A method of rolling a floor mat may include: providing a mat rollingmachine including: a frame defining a front of the machine and a rear ofthe machine; a plurality of drive belts configured to convey the floormat from the front of the machine, through the machine, to the rear ofthe machine; wherein the floor mat is discharged from the rear of themachine in a generally spiral configuration; and a wrapper cartridgecoupled to the frame, the wrapper cartridge having an applicator armconfigured to apply a stretch wrap about the floor mat in the generallyspiral configuration; inserting a leading edge of the floor mat into thefront of the machine; feeding the floor mat through the machine; sensinga leading edge or a trailing edge of the floor mat at a predeterminedpoint within the machine; after sensing the leading edge or the trailingedge, actuating the applicator arm from a retracted position to anextended position, wherein in the extended position, the applicator armpresses the stretch wrap against the floor mat; and rolling the floormat a plurality of times, thereby drawing stretch wrap from the wrappercartridge and wrapping the stretch wrap about the floor mat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of thefollowing detailed description of various embodiments of the inventionin connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of an illustrative mat rolling machine;

FIG. 2 is a front isometric view of an illustrative mat rolling machinewith certain components removed;

FIG. 3 is a rear isometric view of an illustrative mat rolling machinewith certain components removed;

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of an illustrative mat rollingmachine with certain components removed;

FIG. 5 is a partial side schematic view of an illustrative mat rollingmachine showing a path of a mat through the mat rolling machine;

FIG. 6 is a rear isometric view of an illustrative mat rolling machine;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a drive belt of an illustrative mat rollingmachine;

FIG. 8A is a side view of a drive belt of an illustrative mat rollingmachine;

FIG. 8B is a top view of a drive belt of an illustrative mat rollingmachine;

FIG. 9A is a side view of a drive belt of an illustrative mat rollingmachine;

FIG. 9B is a top view of a drive belt of an illustrative mat rollingmachine;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are illustrative top views of example belt fasteningmeans;

FIG. 10C shows illustrative top and side views of an example beltfastening means;

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of an illustrative wrapper cartridge;

FIG. 11A is an isometric view of an illustrative wrapper cartridge;

FIG. 12 is a rear isometric view of an illustrative mat rolling machine;

FIG. 12A is a rear isometric view of an illustrative mat rollingmachine;

FIG. 12B is a rear isometric view of an illustrative mat rolling machinewith an illustrative wrapper cartridge removed;

FIG. 13 is a left side cross-sectional view of an illustrative matrolling machine with certain components removed;

FIG. 14 is a partial side schematic view of an illustrative mat rollingmachine showing a path of a mat through the mat rolling machine;

FIG. 15 is a partial side schematic view of an illustrative mat rollingmachine showing a path of a mat through the mat rolling machine;

FIG. 16 is a partial side schematic view of an illustrative mat rollingmachine showing a path of a mat through the mat rolling machine; and

FIG. 17 is a partial side schematic view of an illustrative mat rollingmachine showing a path of a mat through the mat rolling machine.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternativeforms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in thedrawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood,however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to theparticular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following description should be read with reference to the drawings,which are not necessarily to scale, wherein like reference numeralsindicate like elements throughout the several views. The detaileddescription and drawings are intended to illustrate but not limit theclaimed invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that thevarious elements described and/or shown may be arranged in variouscombinations and configurations without departing from the scope of thedisclosure. The detailed description and drawings illustrate exampleembodiments of the claimed invention.

For the following defined terms, these definitions shall be applied,unless a different definition is given in the claims or elsewhere inthis specification.

All numeric values are herein assumed to be modified by the term“about”, whether or not explicitly indicated. The term “about”, in thecontext of numeric values, generally refers to a range of numbers thatone of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value(i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances, the term“about” may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significantfigure. Other uses of the term “about” (i.e., in a context other thannumeric values) may be assumed to have their ordinary and customarydefinition (s), as understood from and consistent with the context ofthe specification, unless otherwise specified.

The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numberswithin that range, including the endpoints (e.g. 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5,2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5).

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the contentclearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and theappended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its senseincluding “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

It is noted that references in the specification to “an embodiment”,“some embodiments”, “other embodiments”, etc., indicate that theembodiment(s) described may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrasesare not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with an embodiment, it would be within the knowledge of oneskilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristicin connection with other embodiments, whether or not explicitlydescribed, unless clearly stated to the contrary. That is, the variousindividual elements described below, even if not explicitly shown in aparticular combination, are nevertheless contemplated as beingcombinable or arrangeable with each other to form other additionalembodiments or to complement and/or enrich the described embodiment (s),as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 1 is a front isometric view showing certain externally visiblecomponents of an illustrative mat rolling machine 10. Some of theexternally visible components may include a control panel 12, a frame 16defining a front 100 and a rear 110 of the mat rolling machine 10, and ahood 18. The hood 18 may enclose certain elements of the mat rollingmachine 10. At least one first drive belt 20 may extend from the front100 of the mat rolling machine 10 rearward toward a plurality of seconddrive belts 30. The at least one first drive belt 20 may be disposedabout a first set of at least two spaced-apart parallel first rollers22, as can be seen more clearly in FIG. 5. A portion of the frame 16supporting the at least one first drive belt 20 may be connected to aheight adjustment means 14. The height adjustment means 14 may beactuated to raise and/or lower one of the first rollers 22 locatedproximate the front 100 of the mat rolling machine 10, so as tocustomize its height for a particular operator. The height adjustmentmeans may be actuated by pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, or otherappropriate means. In some embodiments, the height adjustment means 14may be a pneumatic cylinder and may be actuated to adjust the firstroller 22 located proximate the front 100 of the mat rolling machine 10between a lower vertical height and a higher vertical height. In someembodiments, the height adjustment means 14 may be actuated in responseto input at the control panel 12.

The at least one first drive belt 20 may comprise a first set of atleast two spaced-apart parallel rollers 22, at least one first endlessbelt 28 disposed about the first set of at least two spaced-apartparallel rollers 22, and a first drive means 24. The first drive means24 may be operatively connected to one of the at least two spaced-apartparallel rollers 22. The first drive means 24 may be configured torotate the at least one first endless belt 28 in a first direction viathe one of the at least two spaced-apart parallel rollers 22. In theview shown in FIG. 5, for example, the first direction may be acounter-clockwise direction. The at least one first drive belt providesa motive force that feeds a leading edge of a mat into the mat rollingmachine 10 from the front 100. The at least one first endless belt 28may be a wide single belt. A wide single belt may reduce the number ofpinch points in the operating area of the machine compared to aplurality of narrow belts. The at least one first endless belt 28 may bemade from a textured, gripping material such as a woven rubber or othersuitable material.

A plurality of second drive belts 30 may be disposed at least partiallyrearward of the at least one first drive belt 20, as seen in FIGS. 1, 2,4, and 5. The plurality of second drive belts 30 may comprise a secondset of at least two spaced-apart parallel second rollers 32, at leasttwo second endless belts 38 disposed about the second set of at leasttwo spaced-apart parallel rollers 32, and a second drive means 34. Insome embodiments, the second rollers 32 may have a stepped ornon-uniform outer surface, such that where the plurality of secondendless belts 38 overlaps or is disposed about the second rollers 32,the second rollers 32 may have a reduced outer diameter to maintain thepositioning and/or alignment of the plurality of second endless belts38. In some embodiments, the plurality of second drive belts 30 may beoriented in a generally horizontal manner. In other embodiments, theplurality of second drive belts 30 may be oriented in an inclined ordeclined manner. The second drive means 34 may be operatively connectedto one of the at least two spaced-apart parallel second rollers 32. Thesecond drive means 34 may be configured to rotate the at least twosecond endless belts 38 in the first direction via one of the at leasttwo spaced-apart parallel second rollers 32. In the view shown in FIG.5, for example, the first direction may be a counter-clockwisedirection. The plurality of second drive belts 30 provide a motive forcethat feeds the leading edge of a mart into the mat rolling machine 10from the front 100 towards at least one support member 90 disposedbetween and laterally offset from adjacent second endless belts 38. Asillustrated in FIG. 5, the mat follows a path through the mat rollingmachine 10 from the front 100 toward the rear 110. The at least onesupport member 90 guides the mat upward from the plurality of secondbelts 30, alongside a plurality of third drive belts 40, to a positionabove a plurality of fourth drive belts 50. The at least two secondendless belts 38 may be made from a textured, gripping material such asa woven rubber or other suitable material. In some embodiments, the atleast two second endless belts 38 may be made from the same material asthe at least one first endless belt 28. In some embodiments, the atleast two second endless belts 38 may each be narrower in width than theat least one first endless belt 28.

A plurality of third drive belts 40 may be disposed above the pluralityof second drive belts 30, as seen in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5. The plurality ofthird drive belts 40 may comprise a third set of at least twospaced-apart parallel third rollers 42, and at least two third endlessbelts 48 disposed about the third set of at least two spaced-apartparallel rollers 42. In some embodiments, the third rollers 42 may havea stepped or non-uniform outer surface, such that where the plurality ofthird endless belts 48 overlaps or is disposed about the third rollers42, the third rollers 42 may have a reduced outer diameter to maintainthe positioning and/or alignment of the plurality of third endless belts48. The second drive means 34 may be operatively connected to one of theat least two spaced-apart parallel third rollers 42. The second drivemeans 34 may be configured to rotate the at least two third endlessbelts 48 in a second direction opposite the first direction via one ofthe at least two spaced-apart parallel third rollers 42. In the viewshown in FIG. 5, for example, the second direction may be a clockwisedirection. The plurality of third drive belts 40 may be inclinedrearward at a non-zero angle relative to horizontal, as seen in FIGS. 4and 5. In some embodiments, the plurality of third drive belts 40 may beoriented at an angle between 90 and 120 degrees, relative to horizontal.In some embodiments, the angle may be about 100 to about 110 degrees,about 105 degrees, or about 105.8 degrees, relative to horizontal. Theat least two third endless belts 48 may be arranged such that at least aportion of each of the at least two third endless belts 48 is generallyparallel to at least a portion of a forward-facing surface 96 of the atleast one support member 90. As illustrated in FIG. 5, as the matfollows the path through the mat rolling machine 10 from the front 100toward the rear 110, the mat passes between the plurality of secondbelts 30 and the plurality of third belts 40, and between the pluralityof third belts 40 and the at least one support member 90. As the matfollows the path, the mat is effectively pinched between the pluralityof second drive belts 30 and the plurality of third drive belts 40, andalso between the plurality of third drive belts 40 and the at least onesupport member 90, such that the belts cooperate to carry or pull themat through the mat rolling machine 10. The at least two third endlessbelts 48 may be made from a textured, gripping material such as a wovenrubber or other suitable material. In some embodiments, the at least twothird endless belts 48 may be made from the same material as the atleast one first endless belt 28 and/or the at least two second endlessbelts 38. In some embodiments, the at least two third endless belts 48may each be narrower in width than the at least one first endless belt28, and may be narrower or wider in width than the at least two secondendless belts 38.

A plurality of fourth drive belts 50 may be disposed at least partiallyrearward of the plurality of third drive belts 40 and at least partiallyabove the plurality of second drive belts 30, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5.The plurality of fourth drive belts 50 may comprise a fourth set of atleast two spaced-apart parallel fourth rollers 52, at least two fourthendless belts 58 disposed about the fourth set of at least twospaced-apart parallel fourth rollers 52, and a third drive means 44. Insome embodiments, the fourth rollers 52 may have a stepped ornon-uniform outer surface, such that where the plurality of fourthendless belts 58 overlaps or is disposed about the fourth rollers 52,the fourth rollers 52 may have a reduced outer diameter to maintain thepositioning and/or alignment of the plurality of fourth endless belts52. The third drive means 44 may be operatively connected to one of theat least two spaced-apart parallel fourth rollers 52.

The third drive means 44 may be configured to rotate the at least twofourth endless belts 58 in the second direction opposite the firstdirection via one of the at least two spaced-apart parallel fourthrollers 52. In the view shown in FIG. 5, for example, the seconddirection may be a clockwise direction. The at least two fourth endlessbelts 58 may be made from a textured, gripping material such as a wovenrubber or other suitable material. In some embodiments, the at least twofourth endless belts 58 may be made from the same material as the atleast one first endless belt 28 and/or the at least two second and thirdendless belts 38/48. In some embodiments, the at least two fourthendless belts 58 may each be narrower in width than the at least onefirst endless belt 28, and may be similar in width to the at least twosecond endless belts 38. The at least one support member 90 may bedisposed between and laterally offset from adjacent fourth endless belts58, and may include a generally rearward- and upward-facing surface, asseen in FIGS. 3 and 5. In some embodiments, an upper surface of theplurality of fourth drive belts 50 may be oriented to incline slightlyin a rearward direction at a non-zero angle relative to horizontal. Insome embodiments, the upper surface of the plurality of fourth drivebelts 50 may be oriented to incline between 0 and 20 degrees, about 3 toabout 10 degrees, about 5 degrees, or about 5.3 degrees, relative tohorizontal.

The positional relationship of the at least one first drive belt 20, theplurality of second drive belts 30, the plurality of third drive belts40, and the plurality of fourth drive belts 50 is such that none of theparallel rollers 22, 32, 42, 52 are shared among different pluralitiesof drive belts. Each plurality of drive belts is independent fromanother plurality of drive belts. That is, the parallel rollers 32support only the plurality of second drive belts 30, the parallelrollers 42 support only the plurality of third drive belts 40, and soon. In other words, the belt surfaces, when viewed from the side (suchas in FIG. 5), do not intersect with each other, or the belts are notinterleaved. This relationship permits the mat to pass through the matrolling machine 10 from the front 100 to the rear 110 along the path oftravel described herein. As the mat travels along the path through themat rolling machine 10, the mat contacts each of the at least one firstdrive belt 20, the plurality of second drive belts 30, the plurality ofthird drive belts 40, and the plurality of fourth drive belts 50 insuccession.

In some embodiments, a generally forward-facing surface 96 of the atleast one support member 90 may extend from below the plurality ofsecond drive belts 30, to an upper tip at a position above the pluralityof fourth drive belts 50, where the at least one support member 90 maytransition to a generally rearward- and upward-facing surface 98 thatextends to below an upper surface of the plurality of fourth drive belts50. The upper tip of the at least one support member 90 may be disposedabout one-quarter inch, about one-half inch, about 1 inch, about 2inches, about 3 inches, or more vertically above the forwardmost fourthroller 52. At least a portion of the rearward- and upward-facing surface98 of the at least one support member 90 may be arranged at an angle ofabout 30 to about 60 degrees, about 40 to about 50 degrees, or about 45degrees relative to horizontal, at a position where the at least onesupport member 90 intersects the plurality of fourth drive belts 50 whenviewed from the side, for example as seen in FIG. 5. The art least onesupport member 90 may be positioned between and laterally offset fromadjacent second endless belts 38 and may be positioned between andlaterally offset from adjacent fourth endless belts 58. The at least onesupport member 90 helps to guide the leading edge of the mat along thepath through the mat rolling machine 10 from front 100 to rear 110. Theat least one support member 90 may be made to have a relatively smoothsurface, and may be made from metal, plastic, or another suitablematerial that does not create undue friction or heat as the mat is movedalong the surface of the at least one support member 90.

In some embodiments, the mat rolling machine 10 may further comprise atleast one generally rearward- and upward-facing pusher 92 adapted todischarge the mat from the rear 110 of the mat rolling machine 10 in thegenerally spiral configuration. The generally rearward- andupward-facing pusher 92 may be disposed between and laterally offsetfrom adjacent fourth endless belts 58. In some embodiments, the at leastone pusher 92 may form a portion of the at least one support member 90.In other embodiments, the at least one pusher 92 may be an elementseparate from the at least one support member 90. The at least onepusher 92 may be actuated by at least one pneumatic cylinder, hydrauliccylinder, electric actuator, or other suitable 9 means. In someembodiments, the at least one pusher 92 may be activated manually, orthe at least one pusher 92 may be activated automatically in response toa particular sensor input or a time delay from another function, action,or sensor input of the mat rolling machine 10.

The mat rolling machine 10 may include a plurality of primary fingers 60configured to be moveable as a set between a first raised position 66and a first lowered position 68. Each of the plurality of primaryfingers 60 may be oriented generally rearward and has a first radius ofcurvature on a generally concave lower face 64. The plurality of primaryfingers 60 may be attached to a first rod 62, which can pivot to actuatethe plurality of primary fingers 60 between the first raised position 66and the first lowered position 68 (shown in phantom), as seen in FIG. 5.The plurality of primary fingers 60 may be made to have a relativelysmooth surface and may be made from metal, plastic, or another suitablematerial that does not create undue friction as the mat is moved alongthe surface of the plurality of primary fingers 60.

The mat rolling machine 10 may further include a plurality of secondaryfingers 70 configured to be moveable as a set between a second raisedposition 76 and a second lowered position 78. Each of the plurality ofsecondary fingers 70 may be oriented generally rearward and has a secondradius of curvature on a generally concave lower face 74 that is smallerthan the first radius of curvature on the generally concave lower face64 of the plurality of primary fingers 60, as seen in FIGS. 3-5. Theplurality of secondary fingers 70 may be attached to a second rod 72,which can pivot to actuate the plurality of secondary fingers 70 betweenthe second raised position 76 and the second lowered position 78 (shownin phantom), as seen in FIG. 5. In some embodiments, the second loweredposition 78 is lower than the first lowered position 68, such that inuse, the mat will contact the plurality of secondary fingers 70 beforethe mat contacts the plurality of primary fingers 60. The plurality ofsecondary fingers 70 may be made to have a relatively smooth surface andmay be made from metal, plastic, or another suitable material that doesnot create undue friction as the mat is moved along the surface of theplurality of secondary fingers 70.

In some embodiments, a first sensor 150 may be provided at the rearwardend of the at least one first drive belt 20 (illustrated either above,or below in phantom, in FIGS. 5 and 14-17) to sense when the leadingand/or trailing edge of the mat has moved past the rearward end of theat least one first drive belt 20. The sensor may be a photo-detector, anopto-electronic sensor, or other suitable sensor. In some embodiments,the sensor may include a light transmitter (not shown) and receiver orreflector. In some embodiments, the at least one first drive belt 20 maybe automatically stopped at a predetermined period of time after thetrailing edge of the mat has traveled along the path past the at leastone first drive belt 20.

In some embodiments, a second sensor (not shown) may also, oralternatively, be provided -within the hood 18 such that the sensor candetect when the leading and/or trailing edge of the mat has moved past apoint between the plurality of second drive belts 30 and the pluralityof fourth drive belts 50. The sensor may be a photo-detector, anopto-electronic sensor, or other suitable sensor. In some embodiments,the sensor may include a light transmitter (not shown) and receiver orreflector. Such a sensor, if provided, may be positioned to pointbetween the at least two third endless belts 48, and a reflector, ifprovided, may be positioned under the plurality of fourth drive belts 50and rearward of the at least one support member 90. In some embodiments,the sensor feedback may be used to actuate the plurality of primaryfingers 60 and/or the plurality of secondary finger 70 from theirrespective raised positions 66, 76 to their respective lowered positions68, 78. In some embodiments, when the sensor detects the trailing edgeof the mat, a timer will be initiated to shut down the mat rollingmachine 10, thereby ending the mat rolling cycle.

In some embodiments, a third sensor (not shown) may be provided withinthe hood 18 to detect the presence or absence of a rolled mat on theupper surface of the plurality of fourth drive belts 50. The sensor maybe a photo-detector, an opto-electronic sensor, or other suitablesensor. In some embodiments, the sensor may include a light transmitter(not shown) and receiver or reflector. A reflector for such a sensor, ifprovided, may be disposed, for example, on the at least one pusher 92 orat a suitable position between the at least two fourth endless belts 58.A sensor detecting the presence or absence a rolled mat on the uppersurface of the plurality of fourth drive belts 50 may be used toinitiate or delay the start of a new mat rolling cycle. If a rolled matis present, the at least one first drive belt 20 may not be permitted tore-start to initiate a new mat rolling cycle. If a rolled mat is absent,the at least one first drive belt 20 may be permitted to start, therebyinitiating a new mat rolling cycle.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that theabove-described sensors, where present, may be moved, repositioned, ormodified to accommodate a desired operation of the mat rolling machine10.

In some embodiments, the first sensor 150 or the second sensor, whereprovided, may communicate with the control panel 12 to actuate theplurality of primary fingers 60 from the first raised position 66 to thefirst lowered position 68 as the leading edge of the mat is detected.The plurality of secondary fingers 70 may be actuated from the secondraised position 76 to the second lowered position 78 in response to thesame or a different sensor input, or in response to a time delay fromthe sensor input that activates the plurality of primary fingers 60.Alternatively, the plurality of primary fingers 60 and the plurality ofsecondary fingers 70 may be actuated to the first lowered position 68and the second lowered position 78, respectively, upon initialactivation of the mat rolling machine 10, simultaneously, independently,or as otherwise provided herein.

In use, the plurality of secondary fingers 70 may remain in the secondlowered position 78 for a brief period of time, which may be as littleas a fraction of a second to a few seconds in length, or about 0.1second to 10 seconds or more. The period of time may be predetermined,or may be determined by sensor feedback obtained during operation of themat rolling machine 10. The plurality of secondary fingers 70, in thesecond lowered position 78, contacts the leading edge of the mat andcooperates with the plurality of fourth drive belts 50 to initiate aroll into a generally spiral configuration. The leading edge of the matis tightly curved around to rest on a following portion of the mat.After the roll has been initiated, or after the passage of apredetermined period of time, the plurality of secondary fingers 70 isactuated to the second raised position 76. The remainder of the mat isrolled into the generally spiral configuration through the cooperationof the plurality of primary fingers 60 and the plurality of fourth drivebelts 50. The plurality of fourth drive belts 50 carry the followingportion of the mat in a forward direction, where the mat is guidedupward by the rearward- and upward-facing surface of the at least onesupport member 90 and into contact with the generally concave lower face64 of the plurality of primary fingers 60. With each successive coil orroll of the mat, the outer diameter of the generally spiralconfiguration increases.

The general path of the mat through the mat rolling machine 10 and thegenerally spiral configuration formed may be seen in FIG. 5. In someembodiments, the path of travel moves the mat along an upper surface ofthe at least one first drive belt 20 and an upper surface of theplurality of second drive belts 30, upward from the upper surface of theplurality of second drive belts 30 between at least one support member90 and a generally rearward-facing surface of the plurality of thirddrive belts 40 to a position above the plurality of fourth drive belts50. At a position above the plurality of fourth drive belts 50, the matmay contact the plurality of primary fingers 60 and/or the plurality ofsecondary fingers 70, which will guide the mat downward toward theplurality of fourth drive belts 50 and into the generally spiralconfiguration.

It will be appreciated that the exact timing and/or order of theactuation of the plurality of primary fingers 60 and the plurality ofsecondary fingers 70 may be modified as needed to obtain the desiredgenerally spiral configuration. In some embodiments, the generallyspiral configuration may include a hollow interior having a diameter ofabout 1 inch up to about 2 inches, 3 inches, 4 inches, 5 inches, ormore. In some embodiments, the plurality of primary fingers 60 and theplurality of secondary fingers 70 may be actuated to their respectivepositions at the same time.

As seen in FIG. 6, the hood 18 may also include a light curtain 84 orsimilar safety device, for example, at the rear 110 of the mat rollingmachine 10 to sense incursion into the rear of the hood 18. When anincursion is sensed, the controls automatically shut down the matrolling machine 10. Other safety devices and/or features, such asemergency stop buttons 82, may be provided on the hood 18, the controlpanel 12, or other suitable locations on the mat rolling machine 10, asseen in FIGS. 1 and 6.

A foot pedal (not shown) may be provided to activate, cycle, and/or stopthe mat rolling machine 10. The foot pedal may connect to the controlpanel 12. Depressing the foot pedal may activate the mat rolling machine10. In some embodiments, the foot pedal may need to remain depressedthroughout the entire machine cycle, and releasing the foot pedal mayimmediately stop the mat rolling machine. In other embodiments, the footpedal may be released immediately upon activation of the mat rollingmachine 10. In other embodiments, a second depression of the foot pedalmay deactivate or stop the mat rolling machine 10.

In some embodiments, the mat rolling machine 10 may be configured tooperate in a manual mode or an automatic mode. In the manual mode, themat rolling machine 10 may function in a single-cycle operation, whereeach mat rolling cycle is initiated by input at the foot pedal or thecontrol panel 12. Following each mat rolling cycle, the mat rollingmachine 10 remains shut down until a new mat rolling cycle is manuallyinitiated. In the automatic mode, the mat rolling machine 10 may utilizea pre-programmed cycle within the control panel 12 to automaticallystart a new mat rolling cycle once a rolled mat has been discharged fromthe rear 110 of the mat rolling machine 10. In the automatic mode, theat least one first drive belt 20 may be stopped once the trailing edgeof the mat has moved past the at least one first drive belt 20 so that anew mat may be loaded into position for the next mat rolling cycle. Atthe new mat is being loaded into position on the at least one firstdrive belt 20, the plurality of second, third, and fourth drive belts30, 40, and 50, continue operating to roll the mat into the generallyspiral configuration. After the plurality of second, third, and fourthdrive belts 30, 40, and 50 have stopped, and the at least one pusher 92has discharged the rolled mat from the rear 110 of the mat rollingmachine 10, a new mat rolling cycle may be automatically initiated.

At the rear 110 of the mat rolling machine 10, there may be a moveableshelf or accumulator mechanism 80 pivotably attached to the frame 16.Moveable shelf or accumulator mechanism 80 may retain a predeterminedquantity of rolled mats, after the rolled mats have been discharged fromthe rear 110 of the mat rolling machine 10, until the rolled mats can beremoved. In some embodiments, the mat rolling machine 10 may be providedwith a bin container or a conveyor system at the rear 110 of the matrolling machine 10 for removal and/or storage of the rolled mats.

A method of rolling a mat may include obtaining a mat rolling machine10, such as that described above. A mat may be disposed on the at leastone first drive belt 20. The at least one first drive belt 20 may beactivated by depressing the foot pedal. The plurality of second drivebelts 30, the plurality of third drive belts 40, and the plurality offourth drive belts 50 may be activated concurrently with the at leastone first drive belt 20 (via the foot pedal), or may be activated aftera predetermined time delay or in response to a sensor input indicatingthe leading edge of the mat has reached the rear end of the at least onefirst drive belt 20. The plurality of primary fingers 60 may be actuatedinto a first lowered mat-rolling position 68. The mat may be fed intothe machine along a path of travel. The plurality of secondary fingers70 may be actuated into a second lowered mat-rolling position 78 tocontact the mat and cooperate with the plurality of fourth drive belts50 to initiate a roll into a generally spiral configuration.

After initiating the roll, the plurality of secondary fingers 70 may beactuated into a second raised position 76 out of contact with the mat,such that the plurality of primary fingers 60 in the first loweredmat-rolling position 68 and the plurality of fourth drive belts 50maintain the roll and form the mat into the generally spiralconfiguration as the mat is fed through the mat rolling machine 10 alongthe path of travel. The plurality of primary fingers 60 may be actuatedinto a first raised position 66 out of contact with the mat. The atleast one first drive belt 20 may be stopped. The plurality of seconddrive belts 30, the plurality of third drive belts 40, and the pluralityof fourth drive belts 50 may be stopped concurrently with, orindependently of, the at least one first drive belt 20. After theplurality of fourth drive belts 50 has been stopped, at least one pusher92 may be actuated to discharge the mat from the rear 110 of the matrolling machine in the generally spiral configuration. After dischargingthe mat from the rear 110 of the mart rolling-machine 10, the at leastone pusher 92 may be automatically or manually actuated back to itsoriginal position.

FIGS. 7-9B illustrate an example drive belt for use with the mat rollingmachine described above. In the figures, the drive belt is identified asfirst endless belt 28. However, other endless belts of the mat-rollingmachine 10 may be constructed and/or used in the same or similar manneras first endless belt 28—for example, second endless belts 38, thirdendless belts 48, and/or fourth endless belts 58.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of first endless belt 28 disposed aboutthe first set of at least two spaced-apart parallel rollers 22. As shownin FIG. 7, the first, endless belt 28 may rotate about, the first set ofat least two spaced-apart parallel rollers 22 in a counter-clockwisedirection (as viewed from the left side). First endless belt 28 mayinclude a first end 25 and an opposing second end 27 adjacent to thefirst end 25, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. First end 25 and second end 27may be connected, joined, secured, fastened, or otherwise held inproximity to each other by a plurality of belt fastening means 26. Ascan be seen from FIG. 7, as first endless belt 28 rotates about the atleast two spaced-apart parallel rollers 22, each of the plurality ofbelt fastening means 26 will contact an outer surface of a roller 22 ata contact or impact point 200. When the belt fastening means 26 makescontact with the roller 22 at impact point 200, an audible impact noiseor sound is produced. The audible impact noise or sound may bedistracting for an operator of the mat rolling machine 10. The audibleimpact noise may also damage the hearing of an operator if the intensityof the impact noise reaches a certain level or threshold. The more beltfastening means 26 that impact roller 22 at a single point in time, thelouder (and/or more intense) the audible impact noise will be.

In some embodiments, such as may be seen in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the firstend 25 and the second end 27 may be cut and/or fastened together at arelatively perpendicular orientation relative to the direction of travelof the belt. When the first end 25 and the second end 27 are arranged inthis manner, all of the plurality of belt fastening means 26 may impactthe roller 22 at the same point in time, thereby producing the loudestpossible impact noise. In some embodiments, the first end 25 and thesecond end 27 may be cut and/or fastened together at an oblique anglerelative to the direction of travel of the belt, as shown in FIGS. 9Aand 9B. The angle may be between about 0 and about 60 degrees relativeto horizontal, or relative to the roller(s) 22. For example, the anglemay be about 2 degrees, about 5 degrees, about 10 degrees, about 20degrees, about 30 degrees, about 45 degrees, or another suitable anglerelative to horizontal, or relative to roller (s) 22. In someembodiments, the angle may be oriented distally to the left. In otherwords, relative to proximalmost roller 22 (nearest the front 100 of matrolling machine 10), a distal edge of the first end 25 may be spaceddistally farther from the proximalmost roller 22 along a left edge ofthe first endless belt 28 (i.e. where the distal edge intersects theleft edge of the belt) than along a right edge of the first endless belt28 (i.e. where the distal edge intersects the right edge of the belt),when the distal edge is disposed on or along an upwardly-facing surfaceof the first endless belt 28 (i.e. when the distal edge is visible fromthe top and/or front of the machine). When the first end 25 and thesecond end 27 are arranged at an angle, the number of belt fasteningmeans 26 that impact the roller 22 at the same point in time may bereduced or limited, thereby reducing the impact noise generated by thebelt fastening means 26 striking the roller 22 commensurately. In someembodiments, only one belt fastening means 26 may impact the roller 22at a single point in time. In some embodiments, a plurality of beltfastening means 26 greater than one and less than all of the beltfastening means 26 may impact the roller 22 at a single point in time,such as for example, if the first end 25 and the second end 27 arearranged in a stepped fashion (not shown) or if the angle issufficiently shallow to permit more than one belt fastening means 26 toimpact roller 22 at the same time.

In some embodiments, belt fastening means 26 may include a bridgeelement attached to each of the first end 25 and the second end 27 witha screw, a bolt, or other mechanical fastener, and the like, such asthat shown in FIG. 10A. The bridge element may be flexible, rigid, orsome combination thereof, and the bridge element may be metallic,non-metallic, composite, or some combination thereof. In someembodiments, belt fastening means 26 may include a hinge elementattached to each of the first end 25 and the second end 27 and joinedtogether using a pin, a rod, a dowel, or a similar element (or aplurality thereof) to form a pivoting joint, such as that shown in FIG.10B. The hinge elements may be metallic, non-metallic, composite, or 16some combination thereof. In some embodiments, belt fastening means 26may include a staple element configured to pierce or pass through eachof the first end 25 and the second end 27, such as that shown in FIG.10C. The staple element may be metallic, non-metallic, composite, orsome combination thereof. The staple element may couple the first end 25and the second end 27 without the use or benefit of separate oradditional fasteners or hardware.

FIG. 11 illustrates a portion of a wrapper cartridge 300 having an outercasing 302 and a handle 304 attached to the outer casing 302. In someembodiments, the wrapper cartridge 300 may be configured to dispense atape, cling wrap, or stretch wrap 330. In some embodiments, the tape orstretch wrap 330 may be provided as a plurality of layers or turns on astretch wrap roll 332 rotatably disposed on a mount 334 within the outercasing 302. In some embodiments, the wrapper cartridge 300 may include aplurality of rounded stretch wrap guides 306 fixedly attached to theouter casing 302, one or more guard walls 308 disposed adjacent theplurality of rounded stretch wrap guides 306 to form a cavity 310, andone or more partitions 312 fixedly attached to the outer casing 302. Insome embodiments, the plurality of rounded stretch wrap guides 306 maybe formed from a rigid material. In some embodiments, the plurality ofrounded stretch wrap guides 306 may be formed from a metallic material,a polymeric material, a composite material, a ceramic material, orcombinations thereof, including but not limited to example materialslisted herein. In some embodiments, the wrapper cartridge 300 mayinclude an applicator arm 314 having a proximal end pivotably attachedto the outer casing 302 adjacent the one or more guard walls 308,wherein the applicator arm 314 may extend through an opening in a sideor end wall of the outer casing 302. In some embodiments, the wrappercartridge 300 may include a plurality of quick connect fittings 338extending through a wall of the outer casing 302 near or adjacent to thehandle 304.

In some embodiments, the applicator arm 314 may include a first curvedelement 316 and a second curved element 318 spaced apart from andfixedly attached to the first curved element 316 to define an elongatepassage therebetween. The first curved element 316 and the second curvedelement 318 may be aligned generally parallel to each other and may befixedly attached to each other. In some embodiments, the first curvedelement 316 and the second curved element 318 may be spaced apart by agenerally constant dimension, such as about 1.000 inches, about 0.750inches, about 0.600 inches, about 0.500 inches, about 0.400 inches,about 0.300 inches, about 0.200 inches, or other suitable dimensions.For example, in some embodiments, the first curved element 316 may bespaced apart from the second curved element 318 by about 0.250 inches.In some embodiments, the first curved element 316 and the second curvedelement 318 may be arranged in a skewed relationship to one other, suchthat the first curved element 316 and the second curved element 318 arespaced apart by a tapering or gradually-reducing dimension from theproximal end toward a distal end of the applicator arm 314. In someembodiments, the first curved element 316 may be longer than the secondcurved element 318. In some embodiments, the first curved element 316and/or the second curved element 318 may not necessarily be curved. Thatis, straight, uncurved, or substantially planar elements may be used orbe present in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the first curvedelement 316 and/or the second curved element 318 may take various otherforms including, but not limited to, a curved sheet, a straight sheet, asheet displaced at one end from its original plane, an arched elementhave a thickness, and the like. In some embodiments, the first curvedelement 316, the second curved element 318, and/or the applicator arm314 may be formed from a metallic material (i.e., steel, aluminum, orother suitable metal), a polymer (i.e., nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE), or other suitable rigid or semi-rigid polymer), or somecombination thereof.

In some embodiments, a polymer pad 320 may be optionally disposed on asurface of the first curved element 316 facing towards the second curvedelement 318, wherein the polymer pad 320 may be disposed at or adjacentthe distal end of the applicator arm 314. In some embodiments, thepolymer pad 320 may be disposed distal of the second curved element 318.In some embodiments, the polymer pad 320 may extend an entire length ofthe first curved element 316. In some embodiments, the first curvedelement 316 and the second curved element 318 may each include a polymerpad or coating disposed on an entire length thereof facing towards eachother and/or the space between the first curved element 316 and thesecond curved element 318. In some embodiments, the polymer pad 320 maybe formed from, for example, nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE),polyester, polyamide, polyethylene, polyurethane, or other suitablepolymeric material. In some embodiments, the second curved element 318may include one or more cutouts 322 extending therethrough to permitaccess to the space between the first curved element 316 and the secondcurved element 318. While a polymer pad 320 is illustrated in thefigures, this feature may be considered optional depending upon intendeduse or usage conditions, and is not required in all embodiments. In use,the stretch wrap 330 may extend from the stretch wrap roll 332, throughor between the plurality of rounded stretch wrap guides 306, through thecavity 310, into the proximal end of the applicator arm 314 between thefirst curved element 316 and the second curved element 318, and throughthe applicator arm 314. In some embodiments, the wrapper cartridge 300may include a proximity sensor or switch 336 disposed within the outercasing 302, wherein the proximity sensor or switch 336 may be configuredto detect the presence and/or absence of the stretch wrap 330 betweenthe stretch wrap roll 332 and the applicator arm 314. For example, ifthe proximity sensor or switch 336 detects that the stretch wrap 330 ismissing from between the stretch wrap roll 332 and the applicator arm314, the proximity sensor or switch 336 may send a signal to the controlpanel 12 which shuts the mat rolling machine 10 off and/or displays amessage or indicator (i.e., a warning lamp, etc.) to the operator thatthe wrapper cartridge 300 is not ready for use, needs attention, and/orneeds to be replaced or resupplied with stretch wrap 330.

As will become apparent, the applicator arm 314 may urge, push, press,or force the stretch wrap 330 against a mat being processed by the matrolling machine 10. In some embodiments, the applicator arm 314 may pushthe stretch wrap 330 against a bottom surface of the mat if the mat isloaded onto the at least one first drive belt 20 with a top surfacefacing up, or the applicator arm 314 may push the stretch wrap 330against a top surface of the mat if the mat is loaded onto the at leastone first drive belt 20 with a bottom surface facing up. In other words,the stretch wrap 330 is pushed against whichever surface of the mat isloaded onto the at least one first drive belt 20 facing the at least onefirst drive belt 20. Static, friction, and/or adhesion may at leastpartially secure the stretch wrap 330 to the mat, wherein rolling of themat upon the plurality of fourth drive belts 50 draws or pulls thestretch wrap 330 through the wrapper cartridge 300 and around the rolledmat. In some embodiments, the wrapper cartridge 300 may include a pivotactuator 340 operably connected to the applicator arm 314. In someembodiments, the pivot actuator 340 may include a hydraulic actuator, apneumatic actuator, an electric actuator, a magnetic or electromagneticactuator, or the like. In some embodiments, a first end of the pivotactuator 340 may be pivotally connected to the outer casing 302 at alocation within the outer casing 302, and a second end of the pivotactuator 340 may be pivotally connected to the applicator arm 314 at aoutside of the outer casing 302. The pivot actuator 340 may beconfigured to actuate between a first retracted position and a secondextended position upon activation, thereby pivoting the applicator arm314 relative to the outer casing 302. In the second extended position,the polymer pad 320 may contact the mat being processed, thereby urgingor pushing the stretch wrap 330 against the mat. In the absence of a matbeing rolled, the applicator arm 314, when the pivot actuator 340 is inthe second extended position, may extend between two of the plurality ofthird drive belts 40, however “normal”, unactivated positioning of thepivot actuator 340 is in the first retracted position. The pivotactuator 340 may be operably connected to one or more of the pluralityof quick connect fittings 338, In some embodiments, the pivot actuator340 may have opposing ends each operably connected to one of theplurality of quick connect fittings 338, as shown in FIG. 11, forexample.

In some embodiments, the wrapper cartridge 300 may include a brakeactuator 350 disposed within and/or fixedly attached to the outer casing302. In some embodiments, the brake actuator 350 may include a hydraulicactuator, a pneumatic actuator, an electric actuator, a magnetic orelectromagnetic actuator, or the like. In some embodiments, a first endof the brake actuator 350 may include a stop bumper 352. In someembodiments, the stop bumper 352 may be formed from a relatively rigidmaterial. In some embodiments, the stop bumper 352 may be formed from ametallic material, a polymeric material, a composite material, a ceramicmaterial, or combinations thereof, including but not limited to examplematerials listed herein. In some embodiments, the stop bumper 352 may beformed from the same material as the plurality of rounded stretch wrapguides 306. In some embodiments, the stop bumper 352 may be formed froma different material than the plurality of rounded stretch wrap guides306.

In some embodiments, the stop bumper 352 may alternatively be formedfrom a relatively flexible and deformable material such as, but notlimited to, urethane, polypropylene, rubber, silicone, and the like,wherein the flexible and deformable material is configured and/oradapted to elasticallv deform under relatively light pressure (i.e.,less than 30 psi, less than 20 psi, less than 10 psi, etc.) when pressedinto contact with one or more of the plurality of rounded stretch wrapguides 306 and return to an undeformed state when said pressure isremoved.

The brake actuator 350 may be configured to actuate the stop bumper 352between a first retracted position and a second extended position uponactivation. In some embodiments, in the first retracted position, thestop bumper 352 may be positioned between a first two of the pluralityof rounded stretch wrap guides 306. Other configurations are alsocontemplated—for example, the stop bumper 352 may be disposed adjacent(and/or downstream from the stretch wrap roll 332) a single one of theplurality of rounded stretch wrap guides 306. In the second position,the stop bumpier 352 may contact one or more of the plurality of roundedstretch wrap guides 306, different from the first two of the pluralityof rounded stretch wrap guides 30 6, to squeeze or pinch the stretchwrap 330 therebetween. In some embodiments, in the second extendedposition the stop bumper 352 may contact two of the plurality of roundedstretch wrap guides 306, different from the first two of the pluralityof rounded stretch wrap guides 306, to squeeze or pinch the stretch wrap330 therebetween. In some embodiments, the stretch wrap 330 may besqueezed or pinched at a pressure in a range of about 15 psi to about 50psi. In some embodiments, the stretch wrap 330 may be squeezed orpinched at a pressure in a range of about 20 psi to 30 psi. In someembodiments, the stretch wrap 330 may be squeezed or pinched at apressure in a range of about 25 psi to 27 psi. In most embodiments, the“normal”, unactivated positioning of the brake actuator 350 is in thefirst retracted position. The brake actuator 350 may be operablyconnected to one or more of the plurality of quick connect fittings 338.In some embodiments, the brake actuator 350 may have opposing ends eachoperably connected to one of the plurality of quick connect fittings338, as shown in FIG. 11, for example.

As illustrated in FIG. 11A, the wrapper cartridge 300 may include one ormore covers removably attached to the outer casing 302. For example, insome embodiments, the wrapper cartridge 300 may include a first cover360 and a second cover 362. In general, the first cover 360 may bedisposed over moving and/or infrequently replaced elements of thewrapper cartridge 300, such as the pivot actuator 340 and/or the brakeactuator 350. In some embodiments, the first cover 360 may include anaperture 358 extending therethrough providing access to the cavity 310.In some embodiments, the first cover 3 60 may be removably attached tothe outer casing 302 by one or more mechanical fasteners 364, or othermeans of attachment, which may require tools to remove. The aperture358, where present, may permit a user's hand to be inserted into thecavity 310 to facilitate feeding the stretch wrap 330 from the stretchwrap roll 332, through the plurality of rounded stretch wrap guides 306,and into the applicator arm 314. The one or more cutouts 322 in thesecond curved element 318 similar facilitate feeding the stretch wrap330 through the applicator arm 314 by permitting a user's finger to beinserted therethrough to engage the stretch wrap 330.

In general, the second cover 362 may be disposed over frequentlyreplaced and/or consumable elements, such as the stretch wrap roll 332disposed within the outer casing 302. In some embodiments, the secondcover 362 may be removably attached to the outer casing 302 using one ormore sliding and/or interlocking feature (s), such as one or more tabsfixedly attached to and extending from the second cover 362 to behindthe first cover 360, and/or one or more magnetic fastener(s) 366, orother means of attachment, wherein the second cover 362 may be removedwithout the use or benefit of tools.

In some embodiments, the mat rolling machine 10 may include a wrappercartridge 300 removably coupled to the frame 16. In FIG. 12, the matrolling machine 10 may be seen with an illustrative wrapper cartridge300 installed within a wrapper housing 390 and an illustrative cuttermechanism 380 attached to the mat rolling machine 10. In someembodiments, a plurality of wrapper housings 390 and wrapper cartridges300 may be provided on the mat rolling machine 10. For example, a matrolling machine 10 may include one, two, three, four, or more wrapperhousing(s) 390. In some embodiments, the mat rolling machine 10 mayinclude one wrapper cartridge 300 for each wrapper housing 390. In someembodiments, the mat rolling machine 10 may include a plurality ofwrapper cartridges 300 for each wrapper housing 390 to permit switchingout of empty wrapper cartridge(s) 300 for full wrapper cartridge(s) 300,thereby permitting the user to continue mat rolling operations while theempty cartridge(s) 300 are refilled with stretch wrap 330 (i.e., newstretch wrap rolls 332). In some embodiments, a plurality of cuttermechanisms 380 may be provided on the mat rolling machine 10. Forexample, a mat rolling machine 10 may include one, two, three, four, ormore cutter mechanism(s) 380. In some embodiments, the mat rollingmachine 10 may include one cutter mechanism 380 for each -wrapperhousing 390.

In some embodiments, the wrapper housing 390 may be removably and/orsemi-permanently attached to the frame 16. In some embodiments, thewrapper housing 390 may be fixedly and/or permanently attached to theframe 16. In some embodiments, the wrapper housing 390 may include arear door 392 hingedly attached thereto, as seen for example, in FIGS.12A-B. In some embodiments, the rear door 392 may face toward a rear 110of the mat-rolling machine 10, such that the wrapper housing 390 maybeuser-accessible from the rear 110 of the mat rolling machine 10 formaintenance, replacement, resupply of consumables, etc. The wrappercartridge 300 may be slidably received by, and/or removable from, thewrapper housing 390. In some embodiments, the moveable shelf oraccumulator mechanism 80 may include one or more cutout(s) 88 forproviding access to the wrapper housing(s) 390 and the wrappercartridge(s) 300 disposed therein when the moveable shelf or accumulatormechanism 80 is pivoted, tilted, or otherwise moved downward about itspivotal attachment to the frame 16. As seen in FIGS. 12A-B, a pluralityof supply lines 394 may be removably connected to the plurality of quickconnect fittings 338, which may be accessible through, or from outsideof, the wrapper housing 390. The plurality of supply lines 394 may beconfigured to provide air, hydraulic fluid, electrical power, or otherappropriate means of actuating the pivot actuator 340 and/or the brakeactuator 350. In some embodiments, the cutter mechanism 380 may beattached to the frame 16 at or near a top of the mat rolling machine 10,and/or above the plurality of fourth drive belts 50. The cuttermechanism may include an axially extendable blade 382 and a cuttingactuator (not shown) disposed within the cutter mechanism 380, whereinthe cutting actuator is configured to translate the blade 382 between anaxially retracted position and an axially extended position. Similar toother actuators described herein, in some embodiments, the cuttingactuator may include a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, anelectric actuator, a magnetic or electromagnetic actuator, or the like.In the axially retracted position, as seen for example in FIG. 14, theblade 382 may be positioned clear of the mat and/or the stretch wrap 330being applied thereto as the mat rolling machine 10 is operated. Thecutter mechanism 380 and/or the blade 382 may be aligned with thewrapper cartridge 300 and/or the applicator arm 314. The blade 382 maybe configured and/or adapted to cut or sever the stretch wrap 330following wrapping of the rolled mat, as will be explained herein.

During operation, a mat may be fed into the mat rolling machine 10 fromthe front 100 of the mat rolling machine 10. As the mat travels throughthe mat rolling machine 10, as described above, the mat is formed into aroll in a generally spiral configuration. As the trailing edge of themat passes the first sensor 150, the pivot actuator 340 may be actuatedfrom the first retracted position to the second extended position, asseen in FIG. 15, wherein the applicator arm 314 and/or the polymer pad320 press a free end of the stretch wrap 330 into contact with a surfacethe mat. In some embodiments, when the leading edge of the mat passesthe first sensor 150, the pivot actuator 240 may be immediately actuatedfrom the first retracted position to the second extended position, asseen in FIG. 15, wherein the applicator arm 314 and/or the polymer pad320 press a free end of the stretch wrap 330 into contact with a surfacethe mat. In some embodiments, when the leading edge of the mat passesthe first sensor 150, the pivot actuator 240 may be actuated from thefirst retracted position to the second extended position, as seen inFIG. 15, wherein the applicator arm 314 and/or the polymer pad 320 pressa free end of the stretch wrap 330 into contact with a surface the mat,after a predetermined time delay. The applicator arm 314 may extendbetween two of the plurality of second drive belts and/or two of theplurality of fourth drive belts 50, which may be aligned with each otherin some embodiments. In some embodiments, the applicator arm 314 may begenerally aligned with the one of the plurality of third drive belts 40,although this arrangement is not required.

In some embodiments, the mat rolling machine 10 may include an airnozzle (not shown) disposed adjacent the applicator arm 314, wherein theair nozzle is configured to apply a jet of air to the free end of thestretch wrap 330 and/or the polymer pad 320 immediately before the pivotactuator 340 is actuated to the second extended position to force thefree end of the stretch wrap 330 against the polymer pad 320, therebyensuring that the free end of the stretch wrap 330 is in contact withthe polymer pad 320 and not drooping or sagging over a distal end of thesecond curved element 318 away from the polymer pad 320.

As the mat advances through the mat rolling machine 10 and forms theroll in the generally spiral configuration, the stretch wrap 330 may bewrapped a predetermined number of (i.e., one or more) times around acircumference of the roll. In some embodiments, the predetermined numberof times that the stretch wrap 330 is wrapped around the circumferenceof the roll may be predetermined by quantity and/or time. In otherwords, in some embodiments, once the trailing edge (or the leading edge)of the mat passes the first sensor 150 and the applicator arm 314 isactuated into the second extended position, the mat rolling machine 10may continue to operate for a predetermined number of revolutions and/ora predetermined period of time before stopping (i.e., all drive beltsstop rotating). Once the mat has been rolled the predetermined number oftimes and/or the predetermined period of time has expired, the brakeactuator 350 may translate the stop bumper 352 from the axiallyretracted position between a first two of the plurality of roundedstretch wrap guides 306 to the axially extended position, wherein thestretch wrap 330 may be pinched between the stop bumper 352 and one ormore of the plurality of rounded stretch wrap guides 306, different fromthe first two of the plurality of rounded stretch wrap guides 306. Withthe stop bumper 352 disposed in the axially extended position, thefourth plurality of drive belts 50 may continue to operate for afraction of a second (or other suitable time frame) and/or the at leastone pusher 92 may begin actuating, thereby placing the stretch wrap 330in tension, as seen in FIG. 16. The cutter mechanism 380 (and/or thecutting actuator), which may be aligned with the stretch wrap 330, maythen be actuated to axially extend the blade 382 into contact with thestretch wrap 330, thereby cutting and/or severing the stretch wrap 330,as seen in FIG. 17. Once the stretch wrap 330 has been cut, theplurality of fourth drive belts 50 may be stopped and the rolled mat maybe discharged from the rear 110 of the mat rolling machine 10 by the atleast one pusher 92. An illustrative non-limiting example of a portionof an operation cycle of the mat rolling machine 10 will now bedescribed in sequence. After the operation cycle is started and a mat isbeing processed/rolled into a generally spiral configuration, at 3.9seconds after the trailing edge of the mat passes the first sensor 150,the brake actuator 350 may be activated to translate the stop bumper 352from the axially retracted position to the axially extended position. At4.0 seconds after the trailing edge of the mat passes the first sensor150, the at least one pusher 92 may be activated. At 4.1 seconds afterthe trailing edge of the mat passes the first sensor 150, the cuttermechanism 380 (and/or the cutting actuator) may be activated to axiallyextend the blade 382 into contact with the stretch wrap 330. At 4.2seconds after the trailing edge of the mat passes the first sensor 150the plurality of fourth drive belts 50 may be stopped. At 4.3 secondsafter the trailing edge of the mat passes the first sensor 150, thebrake actuator 350 may be actuated to translate the stop bumper 352 fromthe axially extended position to the axially retracted position. Thetimes listed are merely illustrative, non-limiting examples and may bechanged or adjusted depending upon the configuration required forsuccessful mat rolling operations.

In some embodiments, an example mat rolling machine may include one ormore of the following configurations:

1. A mat rolling machine for use in rolling a mat having a leading edgeand a trailing edge, comprising:

a frame defining a front of the machine and a rear of the machine;

at least one first drive belt;

a plurality of second drive belts disposed at least partially rearwardof the at least one first belt;

a plurality of third drive belts disposed above the plurality of secondbelts;

a plurality of fourth drive belts disposed at least partially rearwardof the plurality of third belts and at least partially above theplurality of second belts;

a plurality of primary fingers configured to be movable as a set,wherein each primary finger is oriented generally rearward and has afirst radius of curvature on a lower face; and

a plurality of secondary fingers configured to be movable as a set,wherein each secondary finger is oriented generally rearward and has asecond radius of curvature on a lower face smaller than the first radiusof curvature;

wherein at least one of the at least one first drive belt, the pluralityof second drive belts, the plurality of third drive belts, and theplurality of fourth drive belts includes a first end and an opposingsecond end, the first end and the second end coupled together at anoblique angle relative to a direction of travel of the at least onebelt.

2. The mat rolling machine of configuration 1, wherein the at least onefirst drive belt comprises:

a first set of at least two spaced-apart parallel first rollers;

at least one first endless belt disposed about the first set ofspaced-apart parallel first rollers; and

a first drive means operatively connected to one of the first rollers;

wherein the first drive means is configured to rotate the at least onefirst endless belt in a first direction.

3. The mat rolling machine of configuration 2, wherein the plurality ofsecond drive belts comprises:

a second set of at least two spaced-apart parallel second rollers;

at least two second endless belts disposed about the second set ofspaced-apart parallel second rollers; and

a second drive means operatively connected to one of the second rollers;

wherein the second drive means is configured to rotate the at least twosecond endless belts in the first direction.

4. The mat rolling machine of configuration 3, wherein the plurality ofthird drive belts comprises:

a third set of at least two spaced-apart parallel third rollers; and

at least two third endless belts disposed about the third set ofspaced-apart parallel third rollers;

wherein the second drive means is operatively connected to one of thethird rollers;

wherein the second drive means is configured to rotate the at least twothird endless belts in a second direction opposite the first direction.

5. The mat rolling machine of configuration 4, wherein the plurality offourth drive belts comprises:

a fourth set of at least two spaced-apart parallel fourth rollers;

at least two fourth endless belts disposed about the fourth set ofspaced-apart parallel rollers; and

a third drive means operatively connected to one of the fourth rollers;

wherein the third drive means is configured to rotate the at least twofourth endless belts in the second direction.

6. The mat rolling machine of configuration 1, further comprising atleast one support member disposed between and offset laterally fromadjacent second drive belts.

7. The mat rolling machine of configuration 6, where the at least onesupport member is disposed between and offset laterally from adjacentfourth drive belts.

8. The mat rolling machine of configuration 6, wherein an uppermost tipof the at least one support member is disposed about 1 inch verticallyabove the plurality of fourth drive belts.

9. The mat rolling machine of configuration 6, wherein at least aportion of a generally rearward- and upward-facing surface of the atleast one support member may be arranged at an angle of about 45 degreesrelative to horizontal.

10. The mat rolling machine of configuration 1, further comprising atleast one generally rearward- and upward-facing pusher adapted todischarge the mat from the rear of the machine in the generally spiralconfiguration.

11. The mat rolling machine of configuration 10, wherein the at leastone generally rearward- and upward-facing pusher is disposed between andoffset laterally from adjacent fourth drive belts.

12. The mat rolling machine of configuration 1, wherein the mat followsa path through the mat rolling machine upward from the plurality ofsecond drive belts to a position above the plurality of fourth drivebelts prior to rolling the mat into a generally spiral configuration.

13. The mat rolling machine of configuration 12, wherein the mattraveling along the path contacts the plurality of secondary fingersbefore the mat contacts the plurality of primary fingers.

14. The mat rolling machine of configuration 13, wherein mat is incontact with the lower face of the plurality of secondary fingers for ashorter period of time than the mart is in contact with the lower faceof the plurality of primary fingers as the mat is rolled into thegenerally spiral configuration,

15. The mat rolling machine of configuration 1, wherein the plurality ofthird drive belts is inclined rearward at a non-zero angle relative tohorizontal.

16. The mat rolling machine of configuration 15, wherein the non-zeroangle relative to horizontal is from about 100 degrees to about 110degrees.

17. The mat rolling machine of configuration 1, wherein an upper surfaceof the plurality of fourth drive belts is inclined rearward at anon-zero angle relative to horizontal.

18. The mat rolling machine of configuration 17, wherein the non-zeroangle relative to horizontal is about 5 degrees.

19. The mat rolling machine of configuration 2, wherein one of thespaced-apart parallel first rollers is disposed proximate the front ofthe mat rolling machine and is adjustable between a lower and a highervertical height.

20. The mat rolling machine of configuration 1, wherein the obliqueangle is between about 2 degrees and about 30 degrees.

21. The mat rolling machine of configuration 20, wherein the obliqueangle is about 5 degrees.

22. The mat rolling machine of configuration 1, wherein a distal edge ofthe first end is spaced distally farther from the front of the machinewhere the distal edge intersects a left edge of the at least one beltthan where the distal edge intersects a right edge of the at least onebelt, when the distal edge is disposed along an upwardly-facing surfaceof the at least one belt.

23. The mat rolling machine of configuration 1, wherein the at least onebelt further includes a plurality of belt fastening means coupling thefirst end to the second end.

24. The mat rolling machine of configuration 23, wherein the pluralityof belt fastening means is arranged such that less than all of the beltfastening means impact a supporting roller at a single point in time.

25. The mat rolling machine of configuration 24, wherein the pluralityof belt fastening means is arranged such that only one of the beltfastening means impact the supporting roller at the single point intime.

In some embodiments, an example mat rolling machine may include one ormore of the following configurations:

1. A mat rolling machine for use in rolling a mat having a leading edgeand a trailing 10 edge, comprising:

a frame defining a front of the machine and a rear of the machine;

at least one first drive belt;

a plurality of second drive belts disposed at least partially rearwardof the at least one first belt;

a plurality of third drive belts disposed above the plurality of secondbelts;

a plurality of fourth drive belts disposed at least partially rearwardof the plurality of third belts and at least partially above theplurality of second belts;

a plurality of primary fingers configured to be movable as a set,wherein each primary finger is oriented generally rearward and has afirst radius of curvature on a lower face; and

a plurality of secondary fingers configured to be movable as a set,wherein each secondary finger is oriented generally rearward and has asecond radius of curvature on a lower face smaller than the first radiusof curvature;

a wrapper cartridge coupled to the frame, the wrapper cartridgeconfigured to dispense a stretch wrap about the mat.

2. The mat rolling machine of configuration 1, wherein the wrappercartridge is slidably removable from the mat rolling machine.

3. The mat rolling machine of configuration 2, wherein the wrappercartridge is slidably removable from the rear of the mat rollingmachine.

4. The mat rolling machine of configuration 2, further comprising awrapper housing fixedly attached to the frame, wherein the wrappercartridge is slidably received within the wrapper housing.

5. The mat rolling machine of configuration 1, further comprising acutter mechanism fixedly attached to the frame, the cutter mechanismincluding an axially extendable blade.

6. The mat rolling machine of configuration 5, wherein the cuttermechanism is configured to translate the blade between an axiallyretracted position and an axially extended position.

7. The mat rolling machine of configuration 1, wherein the wrappercartridge includes a pivotable applicator arm extending therefrom.

8. The mat rolling machine of configuration 7, wherein the applicatorarm includes a first curved element spaced apart from and fixedlyattached to a second curved element to define an elongate passagetherebetween for providing the stretch wrap from the wrapper cartridgeto the mat.

9. The mat rolling machine of configuration 1, wherein the wrappercartridge is disposed at least partially rearward of the plurality ofsecond drive belts.

10. The mat rolling machine of configuration 1, wherein the wrappercartridge is disposed at least partially below the plurality of fourthdrive belts.

11. The mat rolling machine of configuration 1, further comprising atleast one support member disposed between and offset laterally fromadjacent second drive belts.

12. The mat rolling machine of configuration 1, further comprising atleast one generally rearward- and upward-facing pusher adapted todischarge the mat from the rear of the machine in the generally spiralconfiguration.

13. The mat rolling machine of configuration 1, wherein the mat followsa path through the mat rolling machine upward from the plurality ofsecond drive belts to a position above the plurality of fourth drivebelts prior to rolling the mat into a generally spiral configuration.

14. The mat rolling machine of configuration 13, wherein the mattraveling along the path contacts the plurality of secondary fingersbefore the mat contacts the plurality of primary fingers.

15. The mat rolling machine of configuration 14, wherein mat is incontact with the lower face of the plurality of secondary fingers for ashorter period of time than the mat is in contact with the lower face ofthe plurality of primary fingers as the mat is rolled into the generallyspiral configuration.

16. The mat rolling machine of configuration 1, wherein the front of themat rolling machine is adjustable between a lower and a higher verticalheight.

In some embodiments, a method of rolling a floor mat may include:

1. A method of rolling a floor mat, comprising:

providing a mat rolling machine including:

a frame defining a front of the machine and a rear of the machine;

at least one first drive belt;

a plurality of second drive belts disposed at least partially rearwardof the at least one first belt;

a plurality of third drive belts disposed above the plurality of secondbelts;

a plurality of fourth drive belts disposed at least partially rearwardof the plurality of third belts and at least partially above theplurality of second belts; and

a wrapper cartridge coupled to the frame, the wrapper cartridge havingan actuator arm configured to apply a stretch wrap about the floor mat;

inserting a leading edge of the floor mat into the front of the machine;

feeding the floor mat through the mat rolling machine;

sensing a trailing edge of the floor mat passing a distal end of the atleast one first drive belt;

after sensing the trailing edge, actuating the applicator arm from aretracted position to an extended position, wherein in the extendedposition, the applicator arm presses the stretch wrap against the floormat;

rolling the floor mat a plurality of times, thereby drawing stretch wrapfrom the wrapper cartridge and wrapping the stretch wrap about the floormat;

placing the stretch wrap in tension between the floor mat and thewrapper cartridge; and

cutting the stretch wrap between the floor mat and the wrappercartridge.

2. The method of configuration 1, wherein the wrapper cartridge isslidably received within a wrapper housing fixedly attached to the matrolling machine.

3. The method of configuration 1, wherein placing the stretch wrap intension includes activating a brake actuator disposed within the wrappercartridge.

4. The method of configuration 1, wherein the mat rolling machineincludes a cutter mechanism fixedly attached to the frame, the cuttermechanism having an axially extendable blade configured to cut thestretch wrap.

In some embodiments, an example mat rolling machine may include one ormore of the following configurations:

1. A mat rolling machine for use in rolling a mat having a leading edgeand a trailing edge, comprising:

a frame defining a front of the machine and a rear of the machine;

a plurality of drive belts configured to convey the mat from the frontof the machine, through the machine, to the rear of the machine;

wherein the mat is discharged from, the rear of the machine m agenerally spiral configuration; and

a wrapper cartridge coupled to the frame, the wrapper cartridgeconfigured to dispense a stretch wrap about the mat in the generallyspiral configuration.

2. The mat rolling machine of configuration 1, wherein the wrappercartridge is slidably removable from the mat rolling machine.

3. The mat rolling machine of configuration 2, wherein the wrappercartridge is slidably removable from the rear of the mat rollingmachine.

4. The mat rolling machine of configuration 2, further comprising awrapper housing fixedly attached to the frame, wherein the wrappercartridge is slidably received within the wrapper housing.

5. The mat rolling machine of configuration 1, further comprising acutter mechanism fixedly attached to the frame, the cutter mechanismincluding an axially extendable blade.

6. The mat rolling machine of configuration 5, wherein the cuttermechanism is configured to translate the blade between an axiallyretracted position and an axially extended position.

7. The mat rolling machine of configuration 1, wherein the wrappercartridge includes a pivotable applicator arm extending therefrom.

8. The mat rolling machine of configuration 7, wherein the applicatorarm includes a first curved element spaced apart from and fixedlyattached to a second curved element to define an elongate passagetherebetween for providing the stretch wrap from the wrapper cartridgeto the mat.

9. The mat rolling machine of configuration 1, wherein the wrappercartridge is disposed at least partially rearward of the plurality ofdrive belts.

10. The mat rolling machine of configuration 1, further comprising aplurality of primary fingers configured to be movable as a set, whereineach primary finger is oriented generally rearward and has a firstradius of curvature on a lower face.

11. The mat rolling machine of configuration 10, further comprising aplurality of secondary fingers configured to be movable as a set,wherein each secondary finger is oriented generally rearward and has asecond radius of curvature on a lower face smaller than the first radiusof curvature.

12. The mat rolling machine of configuration 1, wherein the front of themat rolling machine is adjustable between a lower and a higher verticalheight.

13. The mat rolling machine of configuration 1, further comprising atleast one generally rearward- and upward-facing pusher adapted todischarge the mat from the rear of the machine in the generally spiralconfiguration.

14. The mat rolling machine of configuration 13, wherein the mat followsa path through the mat rolling machine which brings the mat into contactwith the plurality of secondary fingers before the mat contacts theplurality of primary fingers.

15. The mat rolling machine of configuration 14, wherein the mat is incontact with the lower face of the plurality of secondary fingers for ashorter period of time than the mat is in contact with the lower face ofthe plurality of primary fingers as the mat is rolled into the generallyspiral configuration.

In some embodiments, a method of rolling a floor mat may include:

1. A method of rolling a floor mat, comprising:

providing a mat rolling machine including:

a frame defining a front of the machine and a rear of the machine;

a plurality of drive belts configured to convey the floor mat from thefront of the machine, through the machine, to the rear of the machine;

wherein the floor mat is discharged from the rear of the machine in agenerally spiral configuration; and

a wrapper cartridge coupled to the frame, the wrapper cartridge havingan applicator arm configured to apply a stretch wrap about the floor matin the generally spiral configuration;

inserting a leading edge of the floor mat into the front of the machine;

feeding the floor mat through the machine;

sensing a leading edge or a trailing edge of the floor mat at apredetermined point within the machine;

after sensing the leading edge or the trailing edge, actuating theapplicator arm from a retracted position to an extended position,wherein in the extended position, the applicator arm presses the stretchwrap against the floor mat; and

rolling the floor mat a plurality of times, thereby drawing stretch wrapfrom the wrapper cartridge and wrapping the stretch wrap about the floormat.

2. The method of configuration 1, further comprising:

placing the stretch wrap in tension between the floor mat and thewrapper cartridge; and

cutting the stretch wrap between the floor mat and the wrappercartridge.

3. The method of configuration 2, wherein placing the stretch wrap IIItension includes activating a brake actuator disposed within the wrappercartridge.

4. The method of configuration 1, wherein the wrapper cartridge isslidably received within a wrapper housing fixedly attached to the matrolling machine.

5. The method of configuration 1, wherein the mat rolling machineincludes a cutter mechanism fixedly attached to the frame, the cuttermechanism having an axially extendable blade configured to cut thestretch wrap.

In some embodiments, a method of replacing a wrapper cartridge on a matrolling machine may comprise:

providing a mat rolling machine including:

a frame defining a front of the machine and a rear of the machine;

a plurality of drive belts configured to feed a floor mat through themat rolling machine;

an accumulator mechanism pivotably attached to the rear of the machine;and

a first wrapper cartridge slidably received within a wrapper housingfixedly attached to the frame;

pivoting the accumulator mechanism from an operating position downwardsuch that a rear portion of the wrapper housing including a coverextends through a cutout in the accumulator mechanism;

opening the cover of the wrapper housing to provide access to the firstwrapper cartridge;

withdrawing the first wrapper cartridge from the wrapper housing bysliding the first wrapper cartridge rearwardly;

inserting a second wrapper cartridge into the wrapper housing;

closing the cover of the wrapper housing; and

pivoting the accumulator mechanism upward to the operating position.

The above described configurations and methods, whether statedexplicitly, implicitly, or derived therefrom, are contemplated invarious combinations of each disclosed feature recited herein. As such,even if not explicitly stated as being combined or combinable, any twoindependently described features may be combined within a singleembodiment.

It should be understood that this disclosure is, in many respects, onlyillustrative.

Changes may be made in details, particularly in matters of shape, size,and arrangement of steps without exceeding the scope of the invention.The invention's scope is, of course, defined in the language in whichthe appended claims are expressed.

I claim:
 1. A mat rolling machine for use in rolling a mat having aleading edge and a trailing edge, comprising: a frame defining a frontof the machine and a rear of the machine; a plurality of drive beltsconfigured to convey the mat from, the front of the machine, through themachine, to the rear of the machine; wherein the mat is discharged fromthe rear of the machine in a generally spiral configuration; and awrapper cartridge coupled to the frame, the wrapper cartridge configuredto dispense a stretch wrap about the mat in a generally spiralconfiguration.
 2. The mat rolling machine of claim 1, wherein thewrapper cartridge is slidably removable from the mat rolling machine. 3.The mat rolling machine of claim 2, wherein the wrapper cartridge isslidably removable from the rear of the mat rolling machine.
 4. The matrolling machine of claim 2, further comprising a wrapper housing fixedlyattached to the frame, wherein the wrapper cartridge is slidablyreceived within the wrapper housing.
 5. The mat rolling machine of claim1, further comprising a cutter mechanism fixedly attached to the frame,the cutter mechanism including an axially extendable blade.
 6. The matrolling machine of claim 5, wherein the cutter mechanism is configuredto translate the blade between an axially retracted position and anaxially extended position.
 7. The mart rolling machine of claim 1,wherein the wrapper cartridge includes a pivotable applicator armextending therefrom.
 8. The mat rolling machine of claim 7, wherein theapplicator arm includes a first curved element spaced apart from andfixedly attached to a second curved element to define an elongatepassage therebetween for providing the stretch wrap from the wrappercartridge to the mat.
 9. The mat rolling machine of claim 1, wherein thewrapper cartridge is disposed at least partially rearward of theplurality of drive belts.
 10. The mat rolling machine of claim 1,further comprising a plurality of primary fingers configured to bemovable as a set, wherein each primary finger is oriented generallyrearward and has a first radius of curvature on a lower face.
 11. Themat rolling machine of claim 10, further comprising a plurality ofsecondary fingers configured to be movable as a set, wherein eachsecondary finger is oriented generally rearward and has a second radiusof curvature on a lower face smaller than the first radius of curvature.12. The mat rolling machine of claim 1, wherein the front of the matrolling machine is adjustable between a lower and a higher verticalheight.
 13. The mat rolling machine of claim 1, further comprising atleast one generally rearward- and upward-facing pusher adapted todischarge the mat from the rear of the machine in the generally spiralconfiguration.
 14. The mat rolling machine of claim 13, wherein the matfollows a path through the mat rolling machine which brings the mat intocontact with the plurality of secondary fingers before the mat contactsthe plurality of primary fingers.
 15. The mart rolling machine of claim14 wherein the mat is in contact with the lower face of the plurality ofsecondary fingers for a shorter period of time than the mat is incontact with the lower face of the plurality of primary fingers as themat is rolled into the generally spiral configuration.